San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-04-26
TUESDAY, APRIL rs, 1887.
A PHASE OF RELIEF.

While the great restitution prevail
ing in some sections of this state Is not
concealed, and while San Antonio 10 do
ing all in her power to minister to that
restitution, 1t were not wise to lose sight
oftwo or three facts. The lack OF food sup
plies, among hose who are in the dr0uth
sections OF southwestern Texas, will
continue for this season. 1t Is growing
too late for the successful raising OF this
years crops where the ground has yet
to be plOwed and planted. The farmers
who are in the drouth districts, with
little stock, see nothing before them but
very hard times for months to come II
they remain where they are. To carry
them and their families for months is a
burden that will fall very heavily upon
the charity OF this city and should be
avoided If In any way 1t can be done.
The drOuth section OF Texas covers a
very small area of its tillable lands. Over
much Of this cultivable region copiOus
rains have fallen and good crops are
promised. 1t Is pertinent to consider
whether those who are really destitute
and actually suffering for food supplies
could not be placed on some Of these
tillable lands. where crops are already
sOwn, to assist in their cultivation. Ii
this is found practicable, only In limited
number of cases, even this will relieve
the relief fund from a portion OF the
draft made upon 1t. Then there are the
iIrigable lands of southwest Texas
capable of yielding food supplies and
profitable labor to a large army Of able
bodied workingmen. These lands, I'M
like those watered only by rains and
dews. can grow a succession OF crops
until the frosts cut them, and 1t is not
too late, nor will 1t be for the next thirty
days, to plant corn, potatoes and other
food crops with certainty Of receiving
good returns. The question is one of
practical benevolence. Cannot those
men who are net ding supplies be placed
on lands capable Of yielding them the
food they so much need? Would 1t not
be far better to do so, where practicable,
than to feed them as at present at
temptedP Better for them as we'll as
for the relief committee? Will not the
railroads assist in placing these people
on such lands as are certain to yield
them present returns, even If they do
not permanently remain There are to-
day in Kinney, Val Verde and FL Psso
counties not less than 10000 acres OF IT.
rigable lands lying idle for want OF la
Dor. All kinds OF vegetables can be
grown upon these lands with a certainty
OF always having a good market. These
lands can be leased or purchased,
or those owing them would put
them under cultivation themselves, pay
ing wages for the labor rendered. The
railways could we'll afford to assist In
placing these people on such lands, as
the returns In the way Of regular busl-
ness for the roads, by settling up sec
tions now lying unoccupied, would In a
few years largely increase their rev.
enues. Good markets can be found at
Del Rio and Fort Clark for all kinds OF
produce, and also on the ranches, almost
to Ell Paso, throughout western Texas.
With the certainty Of long months be-
fore us In which this work OF relief must
still be carried on, it is necessary to con-
slider how much this work may be light
ened, and those who are more anxious
to help themselves than be helped, find
profitable work. Texas needs every in
dustrious son and daughter now living
on her soil. 1t is not necessary for any
Of these to leave the state 10 order to
find themselves SO placed as to enjoy the
means of earning comfortable llveli-
hood. Their labor should not be lost to
the state. There are lands that they can
till, and which need their services. Can
not something be done towards assisting
them to tide over this season OF unex-
ampled drouth by giving them homes on
these irrigable lands, at least until such
time as they can profitably return to
their present farms.
TIE cool April nights and suspicion
n